Other Food Allergies

reaction again?

well yesterday i made the kids pb and j and made Cain a jelly sandwhich and i used the same knife to spread out his jelly and whadayaknow by the time we got ready to leave 20 minutes or so later he was broke out in the same spot on his cheek again with a small rash!!! i was still haveing a hard time beleiving he is allergic to peanuts but in the last couple of weeks i was always getting a new knife for him and yesterday i didnt so i guess that pretty much does it for me!!!! i wish we could go to the allergist now i have so many questions !!! my first being with the test can they tellhow severe or minor his reactions are going to be or like do they get worse with age????????? please any awnsers would be greatly appriciated!! and yes i find myself ready labels on everything!!!! im trying to be carefull but i guess i just didnt figure " it could happen to us"!!!!!! crazy i know! never say never!!!! im so glad you all are here!!!! Alicia mom to 3!!

Quote:Originally posted by myboyCain (in another Reactions thread):
[b]i freaked out and immediately i figured peanut butter to be the culprit! so i will NEVER give him any again!!!! no it seems each time his reaction gets worse is this normally the case!??????? we havent yet seen an allergist for him we couldnt get an appointment till May!!! im worried about him please any info of personal experiance would be greatly appriciated!? Alicia [/b]

As you've found, using the same knife is giving him PB. Please read labels AND don't use the same knife when giving him a sandwich. You can give him a cream cheese and jelly sandwich with a clean knife. And make his sandwich before making any of the other sandwiches.

Quote:Originally posted by McCobbre in that same Reactions thread started by myboyCain:
[b]Welcome here. If he turns out to be allergic you'll find you learn what your "comfort zone" is with regard to possible exposure. Many families with PA children (even with nonPA siblings) eliminate all peanut products from their homes. It may be something you want to consider--or if not, consider how to avoid cross contamination, but it is so easy. And the tiniest bit of peanut protein can be deadly.

There is lots of information here. You've found a good place.[/b]

Better yet, avoid all peanut products, including peanut butter, until you can have your son tested. Do not serve them to anyone in your family. It won't kill your other children to not have peanut butter, but it could certainly kill your peanut allergic child if you give his siblings peanut butter. They can learn to enjoy cream cheese and jelly sandwiches, too. Or hummus (if not sesame allergic). Or sunbutter (you have to order it, but it's fabulous--go to the Sungold website). And your peanut allergic child, unless allergic to sunflower or you're avoiding seeds, can eat and enjoy it.

If you continue to use PB in your house, you have to wash everything so carefully--your hands, use disposable towels. It's just not worth the risk of not doing it well enough.

We threw away all peanut products when our son was diagnosed with PA. I think it has helped save his life.

If you haven't bought children's benadryl (I can't remember from your posts if you have or not), please do so so that you have it on hand until you can go to the doctor and get an EpiPen prescription. This is such a serious thing.

You probably don't have an epi since you haven't been to the dr. Be sure to at least have some benadryl on hand just in case.

I would also try calling the allergist office, explain how he is having "reactions" and plead for an earlier appt. Be sure you don't give any antihistimines within 3 days of the appt. You cannot do skin test if you've taken them. RAST (blood) is okay.

You shouldn't use any open tubs of butter or margarine either. There is a risk that the knife has gone from the pb into those containers -- and if you butter bread from it, you might see any pb, but it could be enough to cause a reaction.

Also, a family doctor can prescribe an epi-pen. (Not sure how long until your appointment with allergist.)

Good points saknjmom and AnnaMarie--it's best to go ahead and throw [b]all[/b] your jelly and butter away--anything that could have ever come into contact with a knife spreading peanut butter. It's best to start fresh. Otherwise, you'll continue giving your child peanut butter.

I know it can sound overwhelming at first, but after a while it does get easier. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]